St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-02-03
THE SENATE.
a New Copy of Ghe Northern Pacifie
Bill -- Sumdry Civil ApDrOpri0.

A New Copy of ahe Northern Pacifie
Bill M Sundry Civil ApprOpria-
ton.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-The request
from the house of representatives for an en-
crossed copy Of the lost bill to forfeit GER
tain lands Of the Northern Pacific railroad
was ordered to be complied with. MIR.
George, from the committee on agriculture,
reported back favorably the house bill ap-
propriating $4,000 Ito be Immediately
aYallable) for the special distribution OF
seeds in the drought stricken section of
Texas by the agricultural department. The
bill was passed-yeas "a, nays Is. Mr..
Wilson, Iowa, offered resolution calling
on the secretary of the treasury for certain
specific detailed information as to railroad
land grants in Iowa. Adopted. The sen-
ate then resumed consideration of
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL.
Mr. Allison, chairman of the committee
on appropriations, said that the senator
from Connecticut (AIr. Platt) had inquired
OF him yesterday whether or not there would
De a surplus i'll the treasury in case congress
made appropriations this session in accord
ance with the estimates of the departments.
In his tMr. Allison's) desire to complete the
bill last night he had failed to answer that
inquiry as fully as he might have done. In
an argument on the bill Mr.. Teller said that
every city on the great lakes was equally
exposed. Under the treaty with Great
Britain the United States had agreed to
keep upon these lakes but one war vessel
and he understood that that vessel TODAY
had only one cast-iron gun whichswas used
to announce the rising and the setting of
the sun and was scarcely good for that.
England could put on the great lakes
fleet which could destroy every town en-
these lakes in twenty-four hours. By the
Welland canal England had access to the
lakes and could send thele ironclads and
war vessels and lombard Chicago, Detroit,
Cleveland and all the great cities of the
lakes. Was it wisdom, therefore, or was
it worth while for the senate to spend its
time in determining what should be the re-
duction of the revenue when there was a
necessity for such . vast expenditure.
England, France and Russia possessed be-
tween them Is, 600 high-power naval guns,
while the United States could boast of but
twenty-nine. We had goneon this way, Mr..
Teller continued, a great many years. We
were
AT THE ABSOLUTE MERCY
of any people who might choose to assail.
Ships fortifcatiOnS and guns could not be
made in day. A hundred million dollars
was stored in the treasury of San Francisco
and a single ironclad could compel the
authorities to surrender it or suffer destruc-
tion of the city. Yet congress sat on from
day to day and considered whether the tax
might not be taken off sugar or tobacco or
internal taxes repealed. 1t was the duty of
the legislative branch of the govern
ment to take immediate steps
to prevent national disgrace. The
people believed guns and ships and
Notifications ought to be built. He called
attention to the fact that 90 per cent. of the
expenditures would go to American labor
ers. Mr.. Mitchell, of Oregon. offered an
amendment apprOpriating $50, 900 for a
lighthouse at Meares, Or. Agreed to. The
bill was then reported from the committee
of the whole to the senate. The general
appropriation for the survey of public lands
was increased from $50. 900 to $4,000 and
the bill was then passed.